Your Career Project Between Inner Reflections and Labour Market Explorations : a Journey to the Right Fit (213)

5 October 2026

Dr Ilaria Orsi, Aude Poriau

Have you ever come across a job posting that seemed perfect for your profile, but didn't align with your deepest aspirations? Or have you known exactly what kind of professional persona you wish to become, but struggled to find concrete opportunities to build a coherent and realistic career plan?

Reflecting on career is a complex and ambivalent exercise: on the one hand, it depends on us-our aspirations, experiences, and values; on the other, it is strongly influenced by what the labor market can offer. Navigating this complexity requires seemingly opposing skills: imagination to remain open and creative, but also practicality to respond effectively; self-awareness to understand our needs, but also curiosity to explore a constantly evolving world.

Adapting without betraying yourself, reflecting and understanding, but also daring-finding inspiration both within and outside ourselves: this is the delicate balance to achieve!

Thanks to this bilingual workshop, you will experience a comprehensive and stimulating journey that will guide you in developing your career plan in an authentic and concrete way.

Together, we will explore a range of essential resources to map out your professional path:

• Interviewing inspiring people
• Exploring our aspirations and motivations through the playful approach of Reflectory*,
• Leveraging collective and artificial intelligence to refine job-search techniques, to model professional profiles, and to highlight our strengths,
• Applying the principles of effectuation** to tackle challenges and seize opportunities.

At the end of the workshop, you will leave with a "toolbox" full of practical and flexible resources, ready to be adapted to any professional situation you encounter along your journey.

* Playful tool based on concepts from psychology, career guidance, and positive psychology and designed in 2020 by Aude Poriau.
** Set of decision-making guidelines used by entrepreneurs to navigate uncertainty and create opportunities and developed by Prof Sara Sarasvathy.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of the workshop you will be able to:

• Conduct a process of introspection and reflection on your career path and projects, crafying your aspirations.
• Expand the range of possibilities by stepping out of your comfort zone through a playful dynamic, targeting your projects and initiaves.
• Explore some AI features for career development.
• Highlight personal stories.
• Define and share the job-hunting resources and strategies.
• Analyze job offers related to your profile and define the priority steps in job search techniques.

University of Lausanne

Date: Monday 5th October 2026

Schedule: from 9 am to 5 pm

Place: University of Lausanne

Trainers:

Holding a Master's degree in Counseling and Career Psychology with a minor in Work Psychology, Aude Poriau also holds a federal diploma as an adult trainer. Trained in solution-focused coaching and agile project methodologies, she is also the creator of innovative HR tools.

Since 2017, Dr. Ilaria Orsi has been the Director of the Transversal Program for the Development of Transferable Skills at CUSO. She holds a PhD in Classical Archaeology from the University of Lausanne (2014). Passionate about career narratives, pedagogical innovation, and issues related to doctoral education in Switzerland and Europe, she is also an adult trainer (FSEA certification), a TRIMA consultant, and "Reflectory" accredited.

Participants are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train between the city of their university and the location of the workshop (half-fare card, 2nd class). - Les frais de voyage en train sont remboursés sur la base du tarif en 2ème classe 1/2 entre la ville de l'Université d'attache et le lieu du cours.

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